[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

In the latest issue of VM Magazine there's a Latvala interview where he says the following:

- He will most likely contest in Lahti Historic Rally with Escort BDA. It's the event he won last year with the same car.

- M-Sport have made a sort of prototype of the new Fiesta WRC that have the current 2.0-litre turbo engine (detuned). The all-new 1,6-litre turbo engine is ready, but not yet fitted to the car. He have not yet driven Fiesta S2000, but will do so this summer. M-Sport is test driving the new car near M-Sport base.

Suggestions elsewhere that not one team has yet got a 1.6 turbo engine ready yet and that the two current teams Ford and Citroen may try and push the FIA into allowing them to run their current engines in the new cars in 2011....

This whole tranistion of new WRC cars must rank as THE worst managed change in the history of motorsport. FFS we are 6 months away from the new start and Citroen and Ford say yesterday on wrc.com that they will have 4 cars each ready, I guess the Citroen 4 will be the same as this year and Ford MH, JML plus 2 others. i know that many here will say they dont care but what about Ken Block, and the others who run WRC cars, the Solberg brothers etc. and what about Atko? what cars are these going to drive next year? Normal S2000 - that will certainly create more of a 2 tier champ (in reality the current customer cars are at least nominally the same spec, but in reality several evolutions behind). Instead of allowing the new cars with the current engines they should be made to run standard S2000, afterall Ford has a Fiesta and Citroen could no doubt run a 207 engine in the DS3.

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Originally Posted by sal

Suggestions elsewhere that not one team has yet got a 1.6 turbo engine ready yet and that the two current teams Ford and Citroen may try and push the FIA into allowing them to run their current engines in the new cars in 2011....

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No, No and No...!!! It was both Ford and Citroen who wanted 1.6T engines - if they can't get them ready tough!! Use an S2000 - which is what should have happened for 2-3 years - until the S1.6T came in.

No doubt, they will get their way.... :mad:

1.6T is the correct formula and the way the whole industry is going, but I am sure that if standard S2000 would have come in from 2010 as was initially talked about WRC would be healthier. Martin Holmes wrote in gpweek.com that since the Japanese have left Citroen and Ford hold all the power, and whatever FIA think these 2 remaining manufacturers run the show. So much so I am beginning to doubt they want any new manufacturer joining their exclusive club.
Ona related theme if as has been said so many times that small capcity turbo petrol engines is what mainstream car makers will be building, where exactly does 4 wheel drive fit into that picture, 2 wheel drive, 1.6T cars are what the public will be the mainstay.

Morrie Chandler put all the power in hands of citroen and ford. WRC needs new leader. J. Todt made more positive statements on WRC in few months then Chandler in few years.. Not good for the sport..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sal

Suggestions elsewhere that not one team has yet got a 1.6 turbo engine ready yet and that the two current teams Ford and Citroen may try and push the FIA into allowing them to run their current engines in the new cars in 2011....

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Much politics going on. Citroen(PSA), Ford, Skoda(VAG) and probably several other have engines they could have used today, if they wanted to. You could get 98% of the performance and 95% of the reliability with parts already available.

Sorry if you talked about this on another threat, Kankkunen the great is planning to run in 1000 lakes Rally on a Focus WRC sponsored by Neste Oil

http://www.rallybuzz.com/kkk-norf-entry/

PS: For me Finland Rally always will be called 1000 lakes Rally

Cosworth racing will co-devellop boxer engine with Subaru...
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...e-ar92108.html

Toyota and Prodrive rumoured to team up for 2011...

http://www.crash.net/world+rally/new..._2011_wrc.html